Should Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye be next on Manchester United’s list?

If Manchester United were able to complete a move for Cesc Fabregas this summer, any frustration at missing out on any other targets would be easily forgotten, with the former Arsenal man about as perfect a signing as they could make this summer.

However it is highly unlikely they will be able to tempt the Barcelona player back to the Premier League this summer, and they should have several targets in mind to miprove their midfield.

One of these should be Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye, who has impressed since moving to the Magpies from Ligue 1 side Lille in 2011.

The 27-year-old is an accomplished player both going forward and in defensive, and would provide a useful goal threat from central midfield, something that Manchester United somewhat lacked last season. Cabaye scored six times in 26 Premier League appearances last year, a total that matched the collective output of Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, Tom Cleverley and Anderson.

Monaco and PSG have also been linked with the French player, and Newcastle have so far responded by vehemently denying Cabaye is for sale. However a bid of around £18million would represent a handsome profit for the Magpies on a player they only spent a reported £4.3million on.

Cabaye is a proven Premier League player, and perhaps the only worry Manchester United might have is that the 27-year-old spent plenty of time in the treatment room last season.

However assuming he could be kept fit he would represent a significant upgrade on their existing options other than Carrick, and would fit well in a midfield behind their array of talented forwards.

Cabaye is perhaps not as glamorous an acquisition as either of the Barcelona players Manchester United have been linked to this summer, but the French international would be able to slot straight into their side, and is more attainable than their other options.

Nick Harris

I'm Nick Harris, Spurs fan and sports writer. Alongside HITC, I'm the founder, editor, writer, and fan of footballspirals.com and can be found on Twitter - @nicksharris. When I'm not watching sport I'm usually drinking coffee and checking updates on my phone in an antisocial manner.